While this looks great I'm a little afraid its Red Steel 2 with better graphics and a MGS storyline. We will have to see when the game comes out but this wsn't exactly what I was hoping for with Kinect.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Snoopy Flying Ace Review(XBLA)
Snoopy lopped out to his dog house that morning, it was like any other. But as he approached the little red structure he soon realized that something was amiss. He heard the distant whirring of an biplane rotator. He then knew that the Red Baron had returned and it was his duty to defeat him.
The above scene has been played out in different ways in many Peanuts cartoons. The essence of this kind of daydream is played out to the fullest extent in the new game by Smart Bomb called, Snoopy Flying Ace. The game takes place during an alternate WWI where the Peanuts characters take up all the parts in their battle against the Kaiser(Lucy) and the Red Baron. The game is an action thrilled ride that can be easily compared to games like Crimson Skies. But this time the whole cast of Peanuts has come a long for the ride.
The best part of the game are the incredible controls. The ability to control your plane and not only shoot your machine guns but also deploying special equipment that consists of everything from homing missiles to aerial mines to an EMP. The controls are exacting and with some practice plenty of fun aerial maneuvers can be pulled off and if your interested in not getting shot down; your going to have to eventually employ some creativity to not only defeat Lucy but the Red Baron.
The game allows you to play through a decent size single player campaign and then go into a multiplayer modes where you can play everything from a free for all deathmatch to more team based modes. All standard fair, but this IS an XBOX LIVE ARCADE GAME after all, so we cannot expect something completely different or more complicated. The game seems to have a multiplayer focus as all the pilots and weapons are available in the multiplayer and new weapons must be unlocked in the single player. The multiplayer is a little frantic but still very fun and will SO MANY competing pilots in the air, the player must use all their creativity not to be shot down over and over.
During the single player campaign the player will be asked to dogfight with other enemy planes, defend different objectives, run races, and man turrets on both vessels and buildings. During the single player, I never felt like I was doing too much of the same thing over and over. I really enjoyed the way they decided to spread out the different types of play.
Just as a final note before I say how much I want all of you to at the very least try Snoopy Flying Ace. I have to say that the achievements in Snoopy are terribly difficult to get. I finished the game and played some multiplayer and was only able to get a single achievement. Some achievements are tied to long term play in multiplayer or excellence in that type of play. Or they are tied to completing the single player in near perfect manner. I really hate when developers choose to make achievements like this. But as fun as the game is, you shouldn’t be held back from trying/purchasing the game because of this.
I found it very fun unlocking all the different planes and weapons in single player. In multiplayer the player is able to level up and get new titles. Hopefully after you level up enough you get other things. But I didn’t have time to level up significantly. This is definitely the right way to do a XBOX LIVE ARCADE game, with perhaps the exception of the achievements. You won’t be sorry if you give this game a shot.
Technorati Tags: snoopy,snoopyflyingace,smartbomb,XBLA,XBOX360,Microsoft,XBOXLIVE,peanuts,videogames,crimsonskies,planes,WWI
Thursday, June 10, 2010
I can Always use an EXTRA LIFE, How about you?
Today I started reading Tom Bissell’s Extra Lives. I’m only on chapter 2 but Chapter 1 begins with Bissell talking about Fallout 3 and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. In which he talks about the lack of tight storytelling in open world games like the two mentioned. What he fails to mention is Grand Theft Auto IV. Which I’m told has incredible storytelling despite the open world setting. But more than this, I would like to discuss the way in which we view video games and how we discuss them.
Video games are generally considered by most people who play them regularly as an entertainment diversion to things like television or movies. Perhaps even reading. Generally we do this not because we are looking for some kind of diversion from those things (movies, television, reading). We are looking for a feeling… Yes ladies and gentlemen I said a feeling. Now I don’t mean the one that you get during a sad movie or the sense of satisfaction you get from reading a good book or perhaps an intense laugh you might get from a television sitcom. No, we play games to feel: powerful, fearful, and the intense rush you get from just not dying when you probably thought you should have.
So does this make every game nothing more than a sport and that we are after some kind of never ending adrenaline rush? No, because some games are like Alan Wake, Uncharted 2, and Heavy Rain where the story leads us into a position that makes us feel something. Even if it’s just the nostalgia of watching an Indian Jones flick from years gone by. So no, story is VERY important in games. But you usually won’t find that story in a diversion heavy game like Fallout 3 or Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Finally, I would like to mention the most problematic thing I found when reading the first chapter of Extra Lives. That was the fact that Mr. Bissell was recalling something that had happened long before he was even paying attention to video games enough for him to be thinking about writing about them. Usually when I remember a game like Fallout or Oblivion or even something like an MMORPG. I usually remember highs and lows only. Not a kind of chronological history that Mr. Bissell comes up with. Which makes me believe that ANYTHING he experienced at the beginning of either game probably was completely lost to him by the time of the writing of the book.
What is my memory of Oblivion and Fallout 3? Well, in Oblivion I remember the Isle of Madness the most clearly as that was the last thing I did. In Fallout 3, my main memory was coming out of the vault and wandering into an abandoned school and killing four guys who didn’t go down easy, but did go down. It was insane, the feeling of fear and pressure. That is what you played those games for, a place and time you could NEVER experience or see in reality. That is the reason we play video games. If I want an excellent story or excellent acting I would watch a movie or read a novel.
Transformers War for Cybertron Multiplayer Demo: Awesome!
I managed to get in a few hours play time with the new Transformers War for Cybertron Multiplayer Demo that just hit XBOX LIVE. The demo allows you to play two modes Team Deathmatch and Conquest. Allows you to pick between two Classes: Solider and Scout. Which are basically Warrior and Rogue for those of you more role playing mind folk. All other features except for the barest of the bare in customization are locked in lieu of the full game.
But people this game is AWESOME! The amount of strategy and fun you can have with these characters is immense and this doesn’t even crack two classes and flying. Yes, seriously can’t wait to fly as EITHER an Autobot or Decepticon.
The perks unlocked as you level up seem balanced and fun. The game, once it gets started, runs perfectly. I was a little excited for this game before this, but now I’m pumped. Anyone who thinks that this is another licensed game money grab, THINK AGAIN. Transforming is fun, playing your CREATED TRANSFORMER is fun. Once I get the full game and get my grubby hands on all the customization features I will REALLY see what you can do, but so far I can’t wait. Best part is the week after E3 is when this game comes out. So once everybody gets back from the crazy that is E3 we can all sit down and make each other explode for a few hundred games of Transformers War for Cybertron Multiplayer.
Don’t believe me? Download the thing for yourself. The game rocks!
Technorati Tags: transformers,warforcybertron,autobots,decepticons,multiplayer,XBOXLIVE,XBOX360,online,videogames
Pre-E3: Destructoid’s Big List!
“
Less than a week to go, folks. What games are you most excited to see?
2K Games
- Mafia II (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Sid Meier's Civilization V (PC)
- Spec Ops: The Line (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- X-COM (PC, Xbox 360)
2K Sports:
- NBA 2K11
- NHL 2K11
2K Play:
- New Carnival Games (Wii)
- Nickelodeon Fit (Wii)
Activision
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (PC, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- DJ Hero 2 (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Spider-Man: Shattered Memories (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- GoldenEye (Nintendo DS, Wii) [Rumored]
Bethesda
- Brink (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Fallout: New Vegas (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Hunted: The Demon's Forge (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Rage (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Capcom
- Dead Rising 2 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Dead Rising 2: Case Zero (Xbox 360)
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Okamiden (Nintendo DS)
- Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 (Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network)
- Sengoku BASARA: Samuari Heroes (PlayStation 3, Wii)
- Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (Nintendo DS)
City Interactive
- Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII (Wii)
- Crime Lab: Body of Evidence (Nintendo DS)
- Farm Frenzy Animal Country (Nintendo DS)
- Jewels of the Tropical Lost Island (Nintendo DS)
- Logic Machines (Nintendo DS)
- Sniper: Ghost Warrior (PC, Xbox 360)
Codemasters
- Bodycount (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- F1 2010 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Crave
- Brunswick Pro Bowling (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Deadliest Catch: Sea of Chaos (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii)
- Man vs. Wild (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Deep Silver
- Nail'd (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Disney Interactive Studios
- Epic Mickey (Wii)
- Guilty Party (Wii)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Toy Story 3: The Video Game (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Tron Evolution (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Electronic Arts
- APB: All Points Bulletin (PC)
- Bulletstorm (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Crysis 2 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Dead Space 2 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- EA Sports Active 2.0 (Wii)
- EA Sports MMA (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- FIFA Soccer 11 (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Madden NFL 11 (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP)
- Medal of Honor (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
- NBA Jam (Wii)
- NBA Elite (TBD)
- NCAA Football 11 (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- NHL 11 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
Konami
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3, 360)
- The Cages: Pro Style Batting Practice (Wii)
- Def Jam Rapstar (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii)
- Hardcore: Uprising (Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network)
- Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring (PS3, 360, Wii, PSP)
- Metal Gear Solid: Rising (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- N3: Ninety-Nine Nights II (Xbox 360)
- Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot (Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network)
- Saw II (PLaystation 3, Xbox 360)
LucasArts
- The Force Unleashed II (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Lego Star Wars III (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Monkey Island 2 SE (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Microsoft
- Fable III (PC, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360)
- Halo: Reach (Xbox 360)
MTV Games
- Rock Band 3 (Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Namco Bandai
- Ace Combat: Joint Assault (PSP)
- Clash of the Titans (PS3, 360)
- Enslaved (PS3, 360)
- Dragon Ball: Origins 2 (DS)
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 (PS3, 360)
- Pac-Man (TBD) [New title TBA]
- Splatterhouse (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Nintendo
- FlingSmash (Wii)
- Zelda (Wii)
- Metroid: Other M (Wii)
Sega
- Conduit 2 (Wii)
- Phantasy Star Portable 2 (PSP)
- Tournament of Legends (Wii)
- Shogun 2: Total War (PC)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (PlayStation Network , Xbox 360, Wii, iPhone)
- Sonic Colors (Wii, DS)
- Valkyria Chronicles II (PSP)
- Vanquish (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Yazuka 4 (PlayStation 3)
Sony Computer Entertainment
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP)
- Gran Turismo 5 (PlayStation 3)
- The Fight: Lights Out (PS3)
- Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip (PSP)
- inFamous 2 (PlayStation 3)
- Killzone 3 (PlayStation 3)
- The Last Guardian (PS3)
- LittleBigPlanet 2 (PlayStation 3)
- MotorStorm Apocalypse (PlayStation 3)
- Move Party (PlayStation 3)
- The Shoot (PlayStation 3)
- SOCOM 4 (PlayStation 3)
- Sports Champions (PlayStation 3)
- Slider (PlayStation 3)
- TV Superstars (PlayStation 3)
Sony Online Entertainment
- DC Universe (PC, PlayStation 3)
- Free Realms (PC, PlayStation 3)
- The Agency (PC, PlayStation 3)
SouthPeak Interactive
- Battle vs Chess (Mac, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable)
- Two Worlds II (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Square Enix
- The 3rd Birthday
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox)
- Dungeon Siege 3 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox)
- Final Fantasy XIV (PC, PlayStation 3)
- Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
- Front Mission Evolved
- Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox)
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep (PSP)
- Kingdom Hearts: Re:coded
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (PC, PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade)
- The Tales of Bearsworth Manor: Chaotic Conflicts (WiiWare)
- The Tales of Bearsworth Manor: Puzzling Pages (WiiWare)
THQ
- de Blob: The Underground (Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360)
- Homefront (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Red Faction: Armageddon (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- The Last Airbender: The Movie (Nintendo DS, Wii)
- Warhammer 40,000 Online (PC)
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- WWE All Stars (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2011 (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online (PC)
Tecmo Koei
- Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Trinity: Zill O'll Zero (PlayStation 3)
- Quantum Theory (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Warriors: Legends of Troy (PS3, 360)
Twisted Pixel
- Comic Jumper (Xbox LIVE Arcade)
Ubisoft
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Clash of Heroes HD (PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade)
- R.U.S.E (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Shaun White Skateboarding (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Tom Clancy's HAWX 2 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Driver (Mac, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Valve
- Portal 2 (PC, Xbox 360, Mac)
Warner Bros.
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Nintendo DS, Wii)
- F.E.A.R. 3 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360)
- Mortal Kombat (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
- Super Scribblenauts (DS)
- The Lord of the Rings: War in the North (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)” Destructoid.com
Now that’s a big list; but from simply perusing the list it seems there are a few games that have not been announced yet that are missing. Which makes sense, so don’t look at this as comprehensive.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
E3 2010… Cause I Guess You Deserve a Preview?
Hello gentle reader,
I suppose being the week before E3 you expected to see all kinds of previews and rumors and general garbage going up. Well, too freakin bad! I don’t do news, rumors, or anything like that unless it is as good as confirmed or if it’s just crazy and silly. Not much out there strikes me as crazy or silly. Except perhaps, the whole PS4 leak viral video. Which has been bouncing around, want to see it? You know how to get to Google and Youtube don’t you? Well, go ahead….
These days I’m more involved in getting reviews done and trying to find a book or magazine for the plane ride to Cali, to worry about what the blazes people are rumoring about. The sheer bulk of B roll news rolling out is absolutely mind numbing. But hey, lets not get overly negative here. Look at the pretty soft kitten…. Isn’t she sweet.
Anyway, look for a few reviews and some good stuff coming out of E3 next week. I will try and get as much out at the highest quality possible. As usual there will be a mix of video and writing. So don’t get too bummed if things aren’t hot and heavy 24/7 that just means there is some really good stuff dropping.
I’m certainly looking forward to seeing all that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have to offer but I’m also looking forward to getting my hands on Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood as I’ve never played a multiplayer Assassin’s Creed before. Also I would love to get another look at DC UNIVERSE ONLINE and hopefully the Agency isn’t canceled and there will be more information on the future of the franchise. I don’t know if Star Wars Old Republic will be there, but hopefully there will be at least a new trailer. Of course, there will be surprises and I’m certainly psyched for those as well.
Technorati Tags: E3,XBOX360,PS3,Wii,Nintendo,Sony,Microsoft,DCuniverseonline,Agency,videogames,journalism
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
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